Black & White Stinker

Species Stiretrus anchorago - Anchor Stink Bug

Other Common Names

Anchor Bug

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Orig. Comb: Cimex anchorago Fabricius 1775

A handsome species that comes in a variety of color forms. There is only one North American species recognized in this genus. In 1971 two entomologists proposed a new species, Stiretrus fimbriatus, but others believed the proposed species was simply a color variant of S. anchorago.

Stiretrus anchorago

Explanation of Names

anchorago is Latin, though the exact meaning and origin is unclear. One possibility is that it comes from anchora- "anchor" + ago- "to act, do", with the implication of acting as or putting on the appearance of an anchor. While the correct spelling would be ancora, anchora was an alternate spelling that first appeared in the Middle Ages, and could still be found in some dictionaries in Fabricius' day.

The other possibility is that Fabricius used the word anchorago (also spelled ancorago, being perhaps an alteration of ancoratus (Adams, 2007, The Regional Diversification of Latin, p. 296--via Googlebooks). This is an obscure term for a fish said to be found in the Rhine. Modern speculation is that it is most likely a salmon, especially the breeding form with hooked jaws (Adams, 2007 and LATCict). Adams suggests it is based on a compound of Gaulish anco (bent, crooked) plus rago (before, in front), meaning "fish with a hooked snout". While it's tempting to connect the meaning with attributes of the salmon, Fabricius would only have known it as a word for some species of fish.

Identification

Both markings and color are variable, but generally includes a variably-shaped dark central band running from the head toward the rear of the insect. The pale area on the right and left sides of the pronotum contain one to three dark spots (usually two). The dark color is dark blue to black. The light color may be white, pink, yellow, orange, or red.

Internet References

Featured Creatures - David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, 2001

Systema entomologiae, p.699    Fabricius' original description of the species

Bugguide

 

Polka Dot

Polka Dot Wasp Moth, Syntomeida epilais, and its caterpillars feed on the leaves of oleander, so it is also called the Oleander Moth

Like all lizards, anoles are equipped with moveable eyelids and external ear holes. Adults molt about every month, casting off skin in bits and pieces. Their feet differ from most lizards in that each toe has adhesive pads (lamellae) on its central portion, enabling the anole to climb and cling to vertical surfaces such as walls, fence posts, trees and leaves, on which they spend much of their time.

Green and Cuban Brown anoles are generally about 5 to 8 inches long. Females are usually smaller and can be under 5 inches long. The long, slender tail of the anole (which makes up about half of its length) may break off at the slightest pressure and continue to wiggle on the ground, distracting would-be predators. But, no fear, the lizard's tail grows back over several weeks to once again serve as a quick get-a-way aid.

Another striking feature of the anole is its dew lap, or throat fan. It is attached to the throat and displayed by means of a flexible rod of cartilage which can be swung downward and forward, thereby revealing a brightly colored patch of skin. Males display their dew lap during courtship and when defending territory. This display is often accompanied by a series of head-bobs and push-ups.

Anoles are sometimes called chameleons. This is undoubtedly due to the green anole’s ability to change its skin color, much like its Old World cousin, the true chameleon. While the green anole isn’t able to change colors as noticeably or rapidly as the chameleon, it is able to alter its color from green to gray to brown, depending on light, temperature and mood. The Cuban Brown Anole, on the other hand, is always some shade of brown.

 Thank you
Florida Gardener.com

Rolex 24 Daytona 5K Run

Before the clock starts on the Rolex 24, compete in your own race in the seventh annual Daytona 5K Run & Fun Walk, which is scheduled for Jan. 28 – the Saturday morning of the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Runner/walkers will pound the same pavement that the sports cars will use prior to their twice-around-the-clock challenge. After you cross the finish line and take the checkered flag, enjoy our post-race awards ceremonies. Daytona Rolex 24 5k Results for 2012 Race.

Fort Matanzas

Fort Matanzas National Monument
is a United States National Monument run by the National Park Service. The Monument consists of a 1740 Spanish fort, Fort Matanzas, and about 100 acres (0.4 km²) of salt marsh and barrier islands along the Matanzas River on the northern Atlantic coast of Florida.Fort Matanzas guards Matanzas Inlet, the southern mouth of the Matanzas River, which can be used as a rear entrance to the city of St. Augustine. Such an approach avoids St. Augustine's primary defense system centered at Castillo de San Marcos. In 1740, Gov. James Oglethorpe of Georgia used the inlet to blockade St. Augustine and launch a 39 day siege. St. Augustine endured the siege but the Spanish realized the need to protect the inlet. Under Gov. Manuel de Montiano construction began in 1740 with completion occurring in 1742. Convicts, slaves, and troops from Cuba were used as construction labor. The Fort was sited on Rattlesnake Island and has a commanding position over Matanzas Inlet.
The Fort is constructed of coquina, a common shellstone building material in the area. It is 50 feet (15 m) long on each side with a 30-foot (9.1 m) tower.

Five cannons were placed at the Fort - four six pounders and one 18 pounder. All guns could reach the inlet, which at the time was less than a half mile away.
When the United States took control of Florida in 1819, the Fort had deteriorated to the point where soldiers could not live inside. The United States never used the fort and it became a ruin. In 1916, restoration work began on the badly deteriorated fort. In 1924, National Monument status was proclaimed. It was transferred from the War Department to the National Park Service on August 10, 1933.
As an historic area under the Park Service, the National Monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
The Headquarters and Visitor Center were added separately to the National Register on December 31, 2008.

The Fort is accessible only by guided boat tours. Hiking trails are available on the barrier island.


 

White Ibis

White Ibis Juveniles.A wading bird of the deep South, the striking White Ibis is frequently seen on lawns looking for large insects as well as probing for prey along the shoreline

American Bald Eagle

Find today American One Female Blad Eagle with 2 Juveniles in Nest (not shown)

St. Augustine Lighthouse

Lovely short Day trip from Jacksonville or from Daytona. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is dedicated to discovering, preserving, presenting and keeping alive the story of the nation's oldest port. (as noted on Website). What a wonderful Family Time or just the Place for that 1st Date. We really enjoyed the Visit.
Recommend that you allow at least one hour to tour the site and climb the tower. The last ticket to climb the tower is sold at 5:45 p.m. Closes at 6:00 p.m. During the summer and many/some holidays they are open until 7:00 p.m., with the last ticket being sold at 6:45 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas.
Don't forget your Camera !! What a Florida Treat!!!

• Visited January 2012
• History: A Spanish watchtower, built in the late 1500's was the predecessor of the present St. Augustine Lighthouse. St. Augustine is the site of the oldest aid to navigation in North America. The original watchtower became Florida's first lighthouse in 1824. However, by 1870, the tower was threatened by shoreline erosion and construction began on the current lighthouse. The new tower was completed in 1874. The old tower succumbed to the sea during a storm in 1880.

Constructed of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron, the lighthouse is St. Augustine's oldest surviving brick structure. In 1876, a brick light keeper's house was added to the site. Light keepers' and their assistants lived and worked there until the tower was automated in 1955.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse rises 165 feet above sea level and contains 219 steps. At the top, a first order Fresnel lens serves the beacon. The St. Augustine lens consists of 370 hand-cut glass prisms arranged in a beehive shape towering twelve feet tall and six feet in diameter.
In 1980, the Junior Service League of St. Augustine, Inc. began a fifteen-year campaign to restore the Keepers’ House that was destroyed by fire in 1970 and the tower. The house was opened to the public as a museum in 1988. In 1993, the tower was also opened to visitors on a daily basis.
In July 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard, through the General Services Administration, transferred the deed for the tower to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, Inc. through the pilot program of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. In addition, the Coast Guard turned over the first order Fresnel lens to the museum.

Entryway

 

Lake George

Lake George is six miles (10 km) wide and eleven miles (18 km) long, with an average depth of 8 feet (2.5 m). The west side of the lake is encompassed in the Ocala National Forest. Three major spring groups flow into Lake George on the west side. Salt Springs enters the northwest side of the lake through the 4.3 mile (7 km) Salt Creek. Silver Glen Springs enters the lake about midway down on the west side, and multiple springs comprise Juniper Creek that flows into Lake George on the southwest side, with Juniper Springs at the headwater of the creek. The large island on the north side of the lake is Drayton Island.
The St. Johns River flows out of the lake at the north end at Rocky Point. To the east of this is Salt Cove, taking the flow from Salt Creek. Just south of Salt Cove is Lisk Point, named for a Dr. Lisk who built a house near the point. Steamboats coming down from Jacksonville made a counter clockwise loop around the lake with their first stop at Lisk Point.
Lake George is the second largest lake in Florida, after Lake Okeechobee. Lake George was the third largest lake behind Lake Apopka, but conversion of the littoral zone on the northern side of Lake Apopka to farm fields in the previous century reduced its surface area.
In more recent years, Lake George has been home to an operational U.S. Military bombing range. The range is affiliated with the Pine Castle Bombing Range located in the Ocala National Forest just west of Lake George. The bombing ranges date back to WWII, when the Navy built bomb targets in Lake George and nearby Crescent Lake, and stationed personnel in the area to maintain the targets and perform search and rescue operations for downed pilots.
The lake also hosts a wide variety of wildlife ranging from migratory water birds and alligators to a number of normally marine animals. Local springs in Lake George (and throughout the St Johns River) impart enough salt to the system to make the habitat suitable to resident and migratory marine species like Atlantic stingray, various species of mullet, striped bass and blue crabs. There is a large enough blue crab population to support a local fishery, making it one of the only fresh water blue crab fisheries in the world.

Blue Spring

Blue Spring State Park covers more than 2,600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. The spring and spring run are closed during Manatee season, mid-November through March.  Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted; this rule is strictly enforced.
For centuries, the spring area was home to Native Americans. In 1766 it was visited by Colonial American botanist John Bartram, but it was not until 1856 that it was settled by Louis Thursby and his family. The Thursby house, built in 1872, remains standing. The spring´s crystal clear, 73 degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers with a partner. The river is popular for fishing, canoeing, and boating. River boat tours are available; for reservations, call St. Johns River Cruises at (386) 917-0724 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (386) 917-0724      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. The park has plenty of picnic areas and a hiking trail. For overnight stays, air-conditioned cabins, a full-facility campground and primitive campsites are available. This is a very popular park on weekends. To ensure entrance into the park, we recommend arriving early; otherwise, the parking area will be full and you may not be able to enter.

Granada Bridge

The Granada Bridge is a high-clearance bridge that spans the Halifax River and Intracoastal Waterway, linking the mainland and beach peninsula parts of Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida. Granada Bridge carries four lanes of Florida State Road 40 and Granada Blvd. The Casements, along with City Hall Plaza, Fortunato Park, and Riverbridge Park reside at the four corners of Ormond Beach's Granada Bridge, which give their collective name to the annual "Four Corners Festival" in Ormond Beach.
In September 1999, the bridge was crossed by about 24,000 cars every day. By January 2007, that number increased to approximately 35,500 vehicles per day.

Broadway Bridge



Broadway Bridge AKA international Speedway Bridge in Daytona Beach, Florida



The Broadway Bridge is a segmental bridge that spans the Halifax River and Intracoastal Waterway in downtown Daytona Beach, Florida, carrying U.S. Route 92.
The Broadway Bridge reaches a height of 65 feet (19.9 m) and is 3,008 feet (917 m) in length. The bridge is more famous for its flair than its purpose. Mosaics of manatees, dolphins and other wildlife native to Florida give the bridge some tourist appeal.
The bridge was dedicated on July 20, 2001




Artwork on Bridge

 



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